Island County, WA Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (2026)

Rather than set a decibel ceiling, Island County regulates amplified sound by its effect on neighbors. 030(A)(6) prohibits 'sound from motor vehicle audio sound systems, such as tape players, radios and compact disc players, operated at a volume so that it unreasonably disturbs or interferes with the peace, comfort and repose of property owners or possessors,' and (A)(7) applies the identical unreasonable-disturbance standard to 'sound from audio equipment, such as tape players, radios and compact disc players' generally, covering stereos and speakers on a property as well as in a vehicle.

Neither clause is limited to nighttime hours the way the horn, engine-noise, and yelling clauses in the same section are, so a loud stereo can be cited at any time of day if it unreasonably disturbs a neighbor. 040(B) confirms that a sound-level meter reading is not required to establish the violation, meaning enforcement rests on the disturbance itself as reported and observed by a deputy. 00, and a third or subsequent violation within the year is a criminal misdemeanor of up to $1,000 in fines, 90 days in jail, or both. 030(B)(1) carves out an exception for regularly scheduled park events, such as public-address systems for baseball games or park concerts.